A major exhibitionmarking the Centenary of the First World War

12 March 2016 – 16 April 2017

Artefact GalleryClick on an artefact below for more details

French children’s bicycle toyDuring the War, toys were created in the form of various kinds of soldiers. Cyclist units took part in the campaigns on the Western Front. They were sent to the front line and were also used for reconnaissance, cable-burying and traffic control.

Photo credit: Neil Cooper & Rob Chadwick0

StereoscopeStereoscopes were a popular form of entertainment during the Edwardian era. They consisted of two pictures mounted next to each other, and a lens to view them through.

Photo credit: DF Photography0

German wound badgesA huge number of soldiers were wounded during the War, many on several occasions. Wounding was first recognised by the British and the French through medal ribbons and wound stripes, respectively. Germany began to recognise soldiers’ wounds in 1918 through the issue of badges pictured here. Three different colours were used, indicating the degree of wounding – black for one or two wounds, silver for three to four wounds, and gold for five or more wounds. The image depicted on the badge was the German steel helmet.

Photo credit: Neil Cooper & Rob Chadwick0

French children’s toyThis children’s toy, which looks like a French soldier, demonstrates how the First World War strongly affected the lives not only of civilians on the home front, but also of their children. Similar dolls were produced in Britain, such as the 'Unconscious Doll Exerciser', which was used by British children to build up their physical strength through play.

Photo credit: DF Photography0

Joffre memorabiliaThis relief commemorates General Joseph Joffre, who was French Commander-in-Chief from the beginning of the War, until December 1916. The inscription translates as “Let us go forth now!”. The battle of the Marne, referred to at the top, was a decisive confrontation in which the Allies halted the advance of the German Army. Joffre was widely hailed as the victor of the Marne and the saviour of France.

Photo credit: DF Photography0

British sweetheart locket with Red Baron fabricSweetheart jewellery was popular with all the nations that went to war. This locket contains a miniature portrait of an unknown airman from the Royal Flying Corps and, on the reverse, a remnant of fabric from the Red Baron’s famous red triplane.0

Les Alliés Dans La Guerre Des Nations (The Allies in the War of Nations)The pastel drawings in this book are by the Swiss painter Eugène Burnand. Burnand produced 104 striking pastel portraits of Allied participants in the War, between 1917 and 1920. One hundred of these were subsequently published by his nephew, in 1922, in the book pictured.

The portraits bring home the sheer quantity of ordinary people involved in the War, from a wide range of backgrounds and nations. Each portrait in the book is accompanied by a page describing the individual in simplistic, general terms, often using racist language typical of the period when referring to the country of origin.0

Ypres building fragmentsThese fragments come from various buildings in the Belgian city of Ypres, including the famous medieval Cloth Hall, which were damaged by artillery fire during the First World War.0

Red Baron autobiographyThis book is an English language version of Der Rote Kampfflieger (The Red Fighter Pilot), Manfred von Richthofen’s autobiography, published in 1917. Von Richthofen, considered the ‘ace-of-aces’ of the War, more widely known as the ‘Red Baron’, was killed in April 1918, which makes this the only autobiographical source about his life.

Photo credit: Neil Cooper & Rob Chadwick0

German C100 Army Model 1895 Light Field WagonField vehicles, which included infantry and army field wagons, played an important role in the supply and transportation of German troops in the First World War. In the late 19th century, the German Army used a great variety of obsolete and newer vehicles in many different capacities. Some of these remained in use until as late as the start of the First World War.

This wagon is one of a handful of such German Imperial wagons which have survived. It was painted in field gray, the same colour as official German military uniforms of the period, although it could have been repainted in multiple colours for camouflage. It would have been pulled by a number of horses.

Photo credit: DF Photography0

General’s frock coatThis full dress frock coat, complete with a double row of gilt metal buttons, belonged to a General of the British Army. It would have been worn on ceremonial occasions with medals and on non-ceremonial ones with ribbons only.

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‘Your King and Country Needs You’ posterThis poster employs many of the British propaganda techniques used to persuade men to enlist. Despite hostilities which led to the outbreak of war in 1914, the public’s loyalty to King and country remained unquestioned and there was widespread belief in the British Empire, and its ability to win the war quickly. The Boer War had ended just twelve years before, and there was a theme of veterans passing on the baton to the young.0

French grave markersThe number of dead in the First World War was unprecedented, and many of those who fell during battle were, tragically, never found. The places where these soldiers fell were marked with grave markers by their comrades, in place of actual graves. The iconic tricolour instantly distinguishes these grave markers as French, and their shape recalls a rosette or medal to honour the dead.0

Pickelhaube The Pickelhaube hat represents a striking image of Imperial Germany. This example features typical aspects such as the hard, glossy shell, leather front peak and is finished in brass. The top part of the helmet is known as a Spitz (spike).

Photo credit: DF Photography0

French Chauchat light machine gunThis heavy 8mm gun, despite being notoriously unreliable, became the French Army’s standard infantry weapon from 1915 onwards. It was also used by other Allied armies, particularly the Americans upon joining the War in 1917.

“The valley separating Le Mort-Homme from Hill 287 is choked with bodies. A full brigade was mowed down in a quarter hour’s holocaust by our machine guns. Le Mort-Homme itself passed from our possession, but the crescent Bourrus position to the south prevents the enemy from utilizing it. The scene there is appalling, but is dwarfed in comparison with fighting around Douaumont.” French account of the battle around Fort Douaumont on 20-23 May 1916

Photo credit: DF Photography0

Wipers TimesThe Wipers Times, 'Wipers' being army slang for the Belgian city of Ypres, was a satirical paper produced by British troops on the Western Front. This image shows the first issue, dated 12 February 1916.

Photo credit: DF Photography 0

Verdun railway station signThis sign comes from the railway station at Verdun, a small French city in the Meuse area. Verdun was the site of the longest battle of the First World War (21 February - 18 December 1916), which proved costly for both the German and the French Army.

Photo credit: DF Photography 0

Allied trench gamesGames like these were played by Allied soldiers to relieve the boredom of life in the trenches. Some, like The Silver Bullet ball-bearing game, were games of skill and played for fun. Others, like Lotto or Crown & Anchor, were gambling games. The latter was illegal and men caught playing it were punished.

Photo credit: DF Photography 0

British Vickers machine gunThe Vickers machine gun was the standard issue machine gun for the British Army, from 1912 to 1915. In this year, the new Lewis machine gun became available and the Vickers was assigned to the newly-created Machine Gun Corps.

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British and German trench knivesKnives were a vital tool for soldiers in the trenches. Not only were they used for many daily tasks, they were also essential should a soldier come face to face with the enemy. While other nations were issued with knives, British troops had to buy theirs privately or manufacture them close to the frontline.

The German knife at the top shows the four flags of the Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria.

The British knife at the bottom belonged to a soldier of The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. Many trench knives were crudely fashioned but this is a more elaborate example.

Photo credit: DF Photography 0

British PH (tube) helmet and British gas rattlePoison gas was first used on the Western Front in the Battle of Ypres in April 1915. By July 1916, the “PH” Helmet, also known as the Tube Helmet, was commonly used by the British Army in France. Wooden gas rattles, such as the one next to it, were used by soldiers in the trenches to warn their comrades of the presence of gas.

Photo credit: DF Photography 2

British Signaller's brassard/armband with pigeon message containerCommunication technology during the War was still primitive and prone to error. In addition to human signals, methods such as sending carrier pigeons were also used. Messages were written on small pieces of paper to fit inside containers, such as the one shown.

Photo credit: DF Photography 0

German Bézard compassThe Bézard compass was invented and patented in 1902 by Johann Ritter von Bézard, an officer in the Austro-Hungarian Army. Bezard taught military survey techniques before the War. This compass had innovative features in comparison to other models of the time, including two slots set in the sides of its lid, which allowed the user to precisely sight a target.

Photo credit: DF Photography 0

French priest’s side cap and brassardThe hat and brassard/armband depicted in this image were worn by a French priest during the First World War. The Secularism Act (1905) established a strict separation of church and state in the French government, although this was not the case in the military. The French population was divided over the role of religion in the state, but priests played an important role in maintaining morale in the War.

Photo credit: DF Photography1

German war shoesThese shoes are an example of an Ersatz creation. Stemming from the German verb ersetzen (to substitute), Ersatz goods were alternative products developed to replace those which became scarce during wartime. The straps on the front, for example, are possibly created from recycled artillery webbing.

Photo credit: DF Photography0

French Model 1892 revolver and British Webley Mk IV revolverThe Model 1892 revolver (on the left) was also known as the Lebel Revolver. It was adopted by the French Army in 1892 and was used in both the First and Second World Wars. It was not a very powerful weapon, but it was easy to use and maintain. The British Mk VI revolver (on the right) was the British Army’s standard revolver during the War. It was first adopted in 1915, and more than 300,000 were produced until the end of the War.

Photo credit: DF Photography0

German Reserve Pioneer tunic During the War, this German M10 officer’s tunic was worn by a Leutnant (Lieutenant) of a Flammenwerfen (flamethrower) unit of the 3rd Guard Reserve Pioneers, who joined the German Frei Corps (Free Corps) at some point in 1918-19. The tunic bears a number of badges and decorations:

The “Totenkopf” (Death’s Head) embroidered badge is the centuries-old badge of elite Prussian and Brunswick units, which was also used by some assaults troops, tank units, etc. during the War.

The Iron Cross was a German decoration for bravery.

The black badge with a soldier’s helmet on it indicates that the soldier was wounded.

The gold Baltic Cross was awarded to officers who had served against the Bolsheviks in 1918-19.

Photo credit: DF Photography0

German “Broomhandle” Mauser pistolThe Mauser military automatic pistol was used by the German Army in large quantities from 1915, due to wartime difficulties in the manufacture of the standard German pistol, the Luger. After the end of the War, official service use of the Mauser was discontinued.

Photo credit: DF Photography0

Surgeon’s kitThis surgeon’s kit belonged to Captain Edwin John Bradley, who served in the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) during the War. In the face of a new type of warfare, the RAMC realised that a man’s chances of survival depended on how quickly he was treated. The wartime surgeons worked under difficult conditions and developed pioneering new techniques to return as many men as possible back to the front. This kit contains various instruments, including an amputation saw, a stethoscope and surgical knives.

Photo credit: DF Photography0

Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse’s uniformThe Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) was established in 1909 in response to the fear that there would be a nursing shortage should war break out. While in 1914 there were 40,000 VAD nurses, by the end of the War there had been a total of 126,000. VAD nurses were trained to work alongside military nurses, and undertook the basic tasks such as cleaning, cooking and washing. They also helped dress, undress and wash men. During the First World War, most VAD nurses served in Britain, although some were posted to overseas to France, Gallipoli, and Mesopotamia.

“a world apart, a world of insufferable space and agonising time, ruled over by some inhuman mathematics and given over to transcendent pain.” -Nurse May Sinclair describing Number 1 Belgian Field Hospital, 1915

Photo credit: DF Photography3

British Red Cross war medalThe British Red Cross medal was awarded to members of the British Red Cross, or its Voluntary Aid Detachments (VADs), as they were not eligible for British military medals. It was awarded to those who served in the United Kingdom between 4 August 1914 and 31 December 1919. It was not an official decoration and was therefore issued without a diploma.

Photo credit: DF Photography3

British Mills bombThe standard British grenade of the First World War, colloquially known as the Mills bomb, was officially adopted in early 1915. Originally designated grenade No. 5, the Mills bomb went through several minor modifications during the War. By 1917, the need for grenades on the Western Front was so severe that one million Mills bombs were produced every week.

Photo credit: DF Photography2

British soldier, France, c. 1916The British solder carried everything he needed with him. On top of his uniform, each soldier had a system of webbing, pouches and straps, to store equipment when it was not being used. This soldier wears the uniform of a Corporal from the 20th (Service) Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment. This was a Pals battalion, which meant that it consisted of men who shared close ties in civilian life through the workplace, schools, sports clubs or other institutions. They had been recruited in the same locality with the promise of serving together.

“a rifle and bayonet with a pair of wire cutters, oil sheet, cardigan, jacket and mess tin; haversack containing one day’s iron rations and two Mills bombs; 150 rounds of ammunition; two extra bandoliers containing 60 rounds each, one over each shoulder; a bag of ten bombs.” – Private John Andrews, Manchester Regiment on what he was carrying with him on the first day of the Battle of the Somme

Photo credit: DF Photography1

German trench gamesGerman soldiers, like their Allied counterparts, played games to relieve the hours of boredom of daily trench life. Special versions of classic games were manufactured for ease of sending to the Front. This cardboard chess set came complete with its own ‘Feldpost’ (Field post) box. Soldiers also played gambling games, including card games and dominoes.

Photo credit: DF Photography 2

Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) pin badgeThe Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) badge was worn by the VAD nurses on the left with uniform or civilian dress. The white horse and legend “Invicta” are the symbol and motto of The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment. The initials “T. F.” at the bottom indicate that the bearer of the badge was part of a Royal Army Medical Corps unit in the Territorial Force.

Photo credit: DF Photography0

German trench clubAs trench warfare became the norm on the Western Front, soldiers had to be prepared to come face to face with the enemy in the confined space of the trench. As a result, the belligerent armies once again began to use vicious weapons for close combat, such as clubs. This particular model, which is similar to the medieval Flemish weapon, the ‘Goedenhag’, was one of the most widely used German trench clubs.

Photo credit: DF Photography0

Women’s Royal Air Force uniform & women's shoesThis khaki single-breasted uniform, cap and shoes belonged to Kathleen Hargreaves, a member of the Women’s Royal Air Force (WRAF). The WRAF was established in April 1918, and women could work in one of its four different divisions: Clerks and Storewomen, Household, Technical and Non-Technical. Although the Technical section included many highly-skilled trades, such as tinsmiths, fitters and welders, the shorthand typists were actually the highest-paid women in the WRAF.

“Even if many of the posts formerly held by men which women are now filling are for the duration of the war only, and will have to be yielded up should their original holder return safe and sound, they will have tested women’s capacity in a way that may have a lasting effect on women’s work in the future.” – The Times newspaper commenting on changes in women’s role in society

Photo credit: DF Photography0

French wire cutters, c. 1916These wire cutters were produced by the French company Peugeot in 1916. They were used by French soldiers to cut barbed wire strands when advancing during an attack, as well as in raids or scouting in No Man’s Land – the contested territory between the trenches of the opposing sides.

“If you to want to find the sergeant, /I know where he is, /... I’ve seen him… /Lying on the canteen floor... /If you want to find the old battalion, /I know where they are, /They’re hanging on the old barbed wire. /I’ve seen ‘em, I’ve seen ‘em, /...” – The Old Barbed Wire, popular British song sung by soldiers in the First World War

Photo credit: DF Photography0

British tank visorThis visor was worn by crew members in British tanks. Various types of visor, both purpose-made and adapted, were worn by the tank crews for protection against the chips of hot metal flying in the interior of the tank as a result of hits on the outside. It is made of steel, reinforced leather and fine chain mail, with slits for the eyes.

Photo credit: DF Photography1

German Zeppelin artefactsAfter a Zeppelin crash, the military inspected the wreckage. Items of no intelligence value were given to charities, who sold them to raise funds. These Zeppelin artefacts include a “Zepp” Charm and two pieces of Zeppelin framework, all made out of German naval Zeppelin L.32. This airship was brought down over Essex on the night of 23/24 September 1916. The table lighter (bottom right hand corner) was made out of the wreckage of naval Zeppelin L.31, which came down at Potter’s Bar on 1 October 1916. The image engraved on the lighter is the winged insignia of the Royal Flying Corps.

Photo credit: DF Photography6

Women’s Land Army smock with Royal Flying Corps insigniaOver the course of the War, various organisations coordinated the enlistment of British women into work on the land. In 1917, a national organisation, the Women’s Land Army (WLA), was established. It was divided into three sections: agricultural, timber cutting and forage. Despite initial scepticism from farmers and the general public, members of the WLA proved their worth and made a vital contribution to British economic life during the War.

“You are doing a man’s work and so you’re dressed rather like a man, but remember, just because you wear a smock and breeches you should take care to behave like a British girl who expects chivalry and respect from everyone she meets.” – Women’s Land Army Handbook

Photo credit: DF Photography5

Red Cross invalid cup and nursing suppliesThis porcelain invalid cup was used by nurses to feed tea or broth to wounded or sick soldiers. It was designed to minimise any spillages. The enamel hospital kidney dish next to it contains contemporary wound dressings, bandages and ointments.

Photo credit: DF Photography 0

German air raid warning posterThis German instructional poster indicates where soldiers should hide their vehicles in case of an enemy aerial attack. The text translates as “Here is aerial cover! Vehicles over here!”

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Edwardian silk mourning gown, c. 1916-19Edwardian mourning customs, although not as severe as those of the Victorian era, were still strict for women. This wartime gown is a notably simpler garment than those worn in the pre-war period. As the War progressed, more and more women worked and played an increasingly active role in society. As a result, it was less common for women to have the help of a maid, so there was a growing need for clothing that they could wear and undress without assistance.

Photo credit: DF Photography 0

Edwardian silk beaded evening gown made by Russell & Allen, c. 1906Russell & Allen were court dressmakers to the Victorian and Edwardian aristocracy. This detailed gown features panels of an art-nouveau style and a typical Edwardian dropped front. The fishtail train is finished at the waist with a facetted jet button, made from Whitby jet.